American Love Story: Well-known ’90s couple John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy are about to become the focus of a brand-new TV show, thanks to famous producer Ryan Murphy, the creative mind behind popular series like American Horror Story and Glee.
Back in 2021, FX revealed that they were teaming up with Murphy to create two new limited series under his American Story banner. This umbrella of shows is known for diving into real-life, dramatic moments in American history, such as the O.J. Simpson trial and the shocking murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace.
One of the new series is titled “American Love Story.” It will be a scripted show, which means it’s acted and written like a drama, and it will focus on real love stories that made headlines and captured people’s hearts. The very first season will tell the story of John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and Carolyn Bessette, a fashion publicist.
The two got married in 1996 and quickly became one of America’s most admired couples. They were considered modern royalty, young, stylish, and always in the public eye. But sadly, their lives were cut short in 1999 when their private plane crashed off the coast of Massachusetts.
The official description of the show explains that while their love story started out as something beautiful and full of promise, the constant pressure from the media, busy careers, and rumors of tension in their personal lives slowly took a toll. Their relationship, once seen as perfect, became strained under the spotlight. The show will explore how these pressures built up over time and how everything ended in tragedy on that hazy summer night when their plane went down.
So, viewers can expect a mix of glamour, romance, public fascination, and heartbreaking loss, all portrayed through the lens of one of the most iconic couples of the 1990s.
American Love Story release date: When will American Love Story premiere?
Ryan Murphy officially announced on Instagram that filming for American Love Story began in June 2025. The series is expected to premiere in February 2026, with Murphy aiming to release it right around Valentine’s Day. The timing is no coincidence, since the show centers around a powerful and emotional real-life love story, dropping it during the most romantic week of the year is a fitting choice.
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American Love Story first look
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On June 13, Ryan Murphy gave fans their first glimpse of American Love Story by posting a series of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. The images featured Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly fully transformed into Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr., dressed in character with period-accurate makeup and styling.
In the caption, Murphy expressed his excitement about the casting, writing, “I am thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. Over a thousand actors auditioned for each of these roles, and we absolutely found the perfect choices. Congratulations Sarah and Paul!”
His post confirmed just how much effort went into selecting the leads for this emotionally complex love story. With production underway and the premiere set for early 2026, fans can stay tuned to Murphy’s updates for more sneak peeks and announcements about this highly anticipated series.